ABC Cancels 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' As Regular Series, Will Air Specials

ABC has canceled long-running reality series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The feel-good/tearjerker series will end its nine-season run with two episodes on January 6 and January 13, including the show’s 200th, in which the team builds 7 homes in 7 days for tornado victims in Joplin, Mo. ABC plans to keep the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition franchise alive through specials after this season. The series, produced by Endemol USA and hosted by Ty Pennington, was a long-time staple in ABC’s Sunday 8 PM slot. Following a steep ratings decline in the fall of 2010, ABC benched the reality veteran in the spring for rookie Secret Millionaire. And this fall, the network found a new Sunday 8 PM anchor in freshman drama Once Upon A Time, moving EMHE to Fridays. Pennington, who will segue to ABC’s new daytime show The Revolution, commented on the end of EMHE in a post on his Web site titled The Greatest Job Of My Life. “I am incredibly grateful for having been part of a television show that changed the lives of so many people,” he wrote. “It has been an honor to work side by side with the EMHE families, builders, and thousands of volunteers who have proven that good hearts can and do change the world.”

33 Comments

Allison • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

Sad to see the series go..but glad they are still going to do specials!! Looking at this article, its amazing to see what ALL they have done for family, charities and other topics. Thank you to ALL the people that made this show possible!!!! I still cry every time they moved the bus to see the new house!!

shelly green • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

im very sad that emhe has been canceled for families like mine it gave us hope that our dream of owning a home could happen and that people cared for one another.emhe brought communites together and showed our chidren that people come together out of the goodness of their hearts to help one another(not all did it for profit or advertizing)and with so much crap being on tv that families having to choose from emhe was welcomed into our homes every sunday night and cant be replaced

larry • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

this was a great show at the beginning, really heartwarming and homes were given to some really special people. It jumped the shark when we realized that some of these homeowners went and borrowed against the house and then lost it, or just went and sold it for the profit.

Moral Midgets • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

I hear they were going to remake 63 Wall Street but Nathan and Jack Berman were too busy eavesdropping via the warrant-less Patriot Act in order to take the call.

bobby snatch • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

Who exactly is it that you think was punked last night? And it’s very disturbing that a comment with a smiley face would be permitted to be posted with “let the beatings begin” basically the text of the comment in its entirety – even in jest.

Words-O-Wisdom, Lloyd • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

1 reality series down — 50 more to go!!!!

Big Nate • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

Show was awful and overproduced. Many of the people struggled to keep their homes after rebuild–taxes, upkeep, etc…The experts, i.e. Ty Pennington, spent a lot of the time promoting the show and going to events in the area of the “Extreme Makeover.” Local contractors, builders, and volunteers were the true heroes and creators of these homes. Reality garbage.

Jed • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

This is a smart move by ABC as it keeps the show moving along like Fox is doing with AMW, placing them as TV specials which are perfect fits for such shows as these. Finally ABC made a proper move. They should still get rid of that awful Shark Tank program.

Quentin • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

There IS a God! Thank you Jesus! See you in hell, Ty Pennington!

kim • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

You are really an absolute schmuck! and I believe you will be the one Rotting! You are probably a Jersey Shore Fan…Clearly Mindless and senseless and most likely and absolute LOSER.
This is by far the best heartwarming show on TV… Yes it makes me cry but it is worth it. I am very sad about this but I am not worried I am sure another network will be smart enough to pick up the show!
You are such a coward you can’t even post your name!

gary • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

Glad to see this one finally go, at least as a weekly. It started out with noble intentions, but quickly devolved into a non-stop commercial for Sears and other companies that provided goods and appliances to the homes. Not to mention those week long vacations to Dinsey World (parent of ABC). It was just one long commercial!

A follow-up series would be in order, because many people could not ultimately afford to stay in their new homes. As posted above, some borrowed against their new asset and lost it. Others could not afford the hefty increase in property tax because of the new increased valuation.

EM:HE also sent a poor message that quality craftsmanship and details were not needed, in favor of completing a project in seven or so days. More hands-on-deck does not always equal better.

carol wilson • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

While perhaps that happened, it was not the majority of makeovers this happened to…sure maybe someone abused it, but therewith are countless people who abuse Welfare, food stamps, free medicines, and other places that give a helping hand, but does that stop us from giving at all? And how many are you willing to risk to failure of help because one might abuse it?

isabelle • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

i live in france and EMHE it’s my favorite show , how can cancel this beautiful team who work nights and days for help families ? How cancel this generous team with full of love ? EMHE is not a serie it’s persons who work hard and give their team and their love all the time much families need of EMHE but now EMHE need of us , please everyone help EMHE and please ABC do not cancel EMHE !!! I’m a big fan french of this team big kiss

Connie Brashaw • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

I so enjoyed the show and the teams and the way it touched so many lives. Yes some always abuse a good thing, but many do not and I am sorry to see if go off the air…. I will really miss it. It was my favorite show. I hope the other shows will be half as good.

KAB • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

Glad to see it off the air finally…. Big time reality garbage,,, This show was never about really helping people. That was a huge smoke screen,,,, Just another way for big companies to sell there products. I have been a custom home builder for over 25 years and if the American public thinks a quality home can be built in 5 to 7 days they need to get a grip on the real reality. I had been involved in one of there projects and it was the worst experience of my career,,,, never again. Im all about voulanteering and have for many projects like habitat for humanities and such. Extreme Make Over ,,, glad to see you finally hit rock bottom and the smoke has finally lifted or Your Reality,,,,,

EMHE Fan • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

Very sad to see this show go. It was the one reality show that really helped people. Sure it was the modern version of Queen for a Day but who cared? We need more shows like this.

Gail Connolley • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

I want them to keep the show going for the people that need them. please reinstate the show don’t stop the hope people have in these wonderful people

S.Williams • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

I agree with you. When I found out it was going off the air all I could think about was what will these people do. They seem like this was their last hope.

Lynne • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

So sorry to see this go off the air but glad it will be on sometimes as a special. This was a very good show compared to a lot of garbage ABC has, I always cried. I am very sorry some of the people abused the help they were given but doesn’t that always happen when greed creeps in ?? I hope you will reconsider and keep this show on for those that truly deserve it and will continue to pay it forward. Love Ty, think he is the greatest!

Robin • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

I am very sorry to see it go. People need to see something positive being done. To see that people do care. There is so much negativity in this world. We need as much positive things out in the open. To give people hope. The show can easily add or change things that will make it better. You can see the people on this show really care. Thank you.

I Know: “the show must go on”… but I am very sorry to see it go off the air.I really love to see that people care and make it better. Ty you are “my dream maker”. Love people, All you are greatest!I am a 5o years old woman, Portuguese, living in Portugal… I am a big fan of your team.I dreamed, cried, smiled.. I will miss you very much!!!

Anissa Colette McDowell • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

I so agree with you! I loved the show and it will be greatly missed! I believe God will bless everyone who had a part in this show. I wish i could have made a video for my mother who is taking care of my sister who died from ovarion cancer, three kids. She deserved to get a blessing like the ones so many lovly people got. God bless you all. I cried, smiled, laughed and enjoyed myself so much watching this show.

I will sure miss this show. I’ve really enjoyed it. I wonder how they will pick the families for the specials. I guess they will have to be even picker now about who they build for.

Edward • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

Just Call me Nostradomus: EHME will return Just like Americas Most Wanted. I understand the decline in ratings. We have so many options to watch today. Americans still need got quality television, too feel good about ourselves. If ABC is so strapped for cash and ratings, they should sell the franchise to a cable channel or run it on a channel they already own. The new shows will never last 9 years, Again: EHME will Return!

Elizabeth • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

Love the show…it might be canceled from ABC but the EMHE gang is in Knoxville TN this week building a home…it is amazing what all goes into it…This eposide will air in the fall of 2012. Glad they are still doing good for families that deserve it…

dave • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

its sad the show went off the air. Some people forgot that helping another is the right thing to do. The network has tooken a hard kick in ratings from soaps to this. They do anymore big drops and the brother networks will take over. Ty and team was a blessing to me and my family. The show has helped my kids learn how to help another and what rewards look like at the end.

Rosalie • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

I am very sorry to see this go as it was one of the few series that showed the good that can be in people’s hearts in our country. All the rest of reality and most of the other shows are trash and not worth watching. One wonders what executives are thinking when they cancel some shows. Just look at the big mistake FOX execs made when they canceled “Firefly”. Pitiful decision. Thank goodness there are DVDs and BBC miniseries, about the only thing worth watching anymore – except for “Psych”.

Neil • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

Ratings don’t take into account the true impact of this show.
This was anything but a typical reality program. Whatever anyone things about the commercialism of the series and problems some families faced after a makeover, EM:HE educated viewers about so many little known medical and social issues. How many organizations saw an influx of volunteered time and money as a result of this one program? The series set out to better the lives of some lucky families and in the process, help to better our world.

The cynic at this point would say, “No, they set out to make ratings and thus earn advertising dollars.” But what is the problem with that? It enabled the show to exist and do good for thousands of people. I didn’t start shopping at Sears or CVS because of this program. What I DID do is realize that there are ways that I can help out those around me, even if only in a small way. Television needs uplifting programs like EM:HE to offset the constant stream of depressing information the news channels report.

connie • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

I love the show…. it is great and Ty is nice to help people. To all the people with the negative comments. Keep them to yourselves. The reality is that Sears and everyone who donates to the homes are helping families. Who cares if they get a little publicity. They are giving and people in need are benefiting. Thanks ABC and Ty for having the show. It was great and wish it could continue.

Gwen Crawford • on Dec 15, 2011 1:25 pm

It’s sad to see this show canceled. I thought that the Extreme Home Makeover could have gone on indefinitely. So many people benefited from this show and the help that Ty and the team, as well as Sears and K Mart gave them. They have done some good work here. Wish they didn’t have to cancel. They will be missed. Best of luck.